Are You Blocked on WhatsApp? Profile Pictures & More Signs

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Understand what it looks like to be blocked on WhatsApp

Co-authored by Naveh Ben Dror and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: May 23, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Signs You're Blocked
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• Can you see profile pics?
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• FAQ
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• Expert Interview
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• Expert Q&A

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Did that person you've been chatting with block you on WhatsApp? If you can't see their profile picture, does that mean you're blocked? Even though there's no specific place to verify whether someone has blocked you on WhatsApp, it's still pretty simple to tell if you've been blocked. This wikiHow article shows you some telltale signs if you've been blocked on WhatsApp using your Android, iPhone, or iPad, with some tips from social media security expert Naveh Ben Dror.

Are You Blocked on WhatsApp?

If you can't see the person's profile photo, you are likely blocked on WhatsApp. If you're blocked, you will be unable to see profile updates such as new photos and current status. You'll also be unable to send messages, call them, or add them to group chats.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

How to Tell If Someone Blocked You on WhatsApp

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1. 
   1
   You can't see their profile picture. If you can't see the person's profile photo, you might be blocked. WhatsApp says that once a person has blocked you, you won't see updates to their profile. Some WhatsApp users state that they can't see the profile photos of people who've blocked them at all. Either way, if you know someone's profile photo has changed and you can't see the new photo, it's likely you're blocked.

   • If you have any mutual friends with the person, ask them to look at the person's profile and let them know if they can see it. If they can't see it, or if it's different than the one you see, you could have been blocked.
2. 
   2
   Their online status isn't visible. Can you see when the person was last seen? If someone has blocked you, you won't see if they're online or the last time they signed in. However, you don't want to use this as a single piece of evidence that you're blocked since anyone is able to edit their privacy to hide or show their online status.
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3. 
   3
   You only see one checkmark under messages you've sent. Try sending them a message. If you're not blocked, you should see checkmarks under the messages you send that indicate that they've been sent and received. According to Ben Dror, if you're blocked, the message will never make it to the other person, so there will only be one checkmark below the message.
4. 
   4
   Your calls will fail. Call the person on WhatsApp. Since all contact is prevented when someone blocks you on WhatsApp, all the calls you make to that person (using the app) will not go through.

   • If all three of these are what you're encountering, you're most likely blocked. If, for example, you can see their profile picture, but only see one 1 checkmark instead of two2 under your sent messages, they may have a limited time when WhatsApp can use data to receive messages, or they don't have an internet connection. To be sure if the contact has blocked you, all three of these criteria should be met.
5. 
   5
   Try adding the user to a group chat. If you get a message that you're not authorized to do so, then you've most likely been blocked.
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Section 2 of 3:

Can you see someone's profile picture if you're blocked?

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1. 
   No, you can't see someone's profile picture when blocked. If you're blocked by someone on WhatsApp, you can't see updated profile pictures or updated statuses. Statuses work similarly to Stories on Snapchat or Instagram. Additionally, you can't send any new messages to the recipient, or call them. Any attempts to contact the user will fail.

Section 3 of 3:

Frequently Asked Questions

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1. 1
   Does one tick mean I'm blocked? One tick underneath a WhatsApp message can indicate a faulty connection on the other user's end. It doesn't necessarily mean you're blocked by the user. However, when paired with other instances, such as being unable to see their profile picture or status, it most likely means you're blocked.

   • If you're unsure if someone blocked or deleted you, you can always ask a mutual friend or the user.
2. 2
   What do two ticks mean on WhatsApp? If you see two blue ticks, this means your message was successfully sent and the user has read your message. If you see two grey ticks, it means your message was sent successfully, and the user may not have read your message.

   • If you or the recipient has Read Receipts disabled, no messages will have two blue ticks. To enable it, you must enable Read Receipts.
3. 3
   How do I turn on Read Receipts? To turn on Read Receipts in WhatsApp, open the app and navigate to Settings. Tap the Privacy tab, and then toggle on Read Receipts. Keep in mind the other user must also have Read Receipts enabled to know if your message was read.
4. 4
   What do I do if I'm blocked? If you think you were blocked mistakenly, you can try contacting the user on a different platform. However, blocks are usually done with a purpose, so be mindful of your reaction and actions. You may need to give them some time before reaching out.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  Can I use a VPN to contact a blocked WhatsApp contact?

  

  Naveh Ben Dror
  Social Media Security Expert

  Naveh Ben Dror is a Social Media Security Expert and the CEO of Spikerz based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Naveh and his team provide social media protection for content creators, businesses, and enterprises. His professional background is in international brand marketing and e-commerce. Naveh received both his Bachelor of Law and MBA from Reichman University.

  

  Naveh Ben Dror

  Social Media Security Expert

  Expert Answer

  You cannot view or contact a blocked WhatsApp profile by using a VPN. The blocking feature on WhatsApp operates independently of your internet connection. A VPN, which primarily masks your IP address and encrypts your internet connection, does not affect the functionality of WhatsApp's blocking feature. Access to a blocked profile or messages on WhatsApp is not granted through the use of a VPN; the block is specific to the application and cannot be bypassed in this manner.

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  Not Helpful 10 Helpful 23
• Question

  What happened to my GBWhatsapp since last night? I cannot log into my account now.

  

  Bhoimus

  Top Answerer

  Using GBWhatsapp or any similar unofficial app is against WhatsApp's terms of service, and your account can be temporarily or permanently banned from WhatsApp.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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